Honestly, choosing a cruise cabin used to be simple. You either went for the cheap interior room, a window, or you splurged on a balcony where you could actually smell the salt air. But Royal Caribbean decided to mess with the formula when they launched Icon of the Seas. They introduced this thing called the Infinite Family Balcony, and ever since, people have been debating whether it's a stroke of genius or just a glorified window.
If you’ve been looking at deck plans, you know the struggle. You want space for the kids, but you don't want to pay for a two-bedroom suite that costs as much as a used Honda Civic. The Infinite Family Balcony is supposed to be that middle ground. It’s built specifically for families of five or six, which is a rare find in the cruise world without jumping into the "Star Class" price bracket.
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But here is the kicker. It isn't a "balcony" in the way your brain probably pictures one. There’s no sliding glass door. There’s no separate outdoor area where you can sneak out for a coffee while the kids are still dead to the world in their bunks. Instead, the entire room becomes the balcony. Or the balcony becomes the room. It’s confusing until you see it in person.
What an Infinite Family Balcony on Icon of the Seas actually looks like
Standard balconies have a physical barrier. You step over a threshold, and you are outside. On Icon of the Seas, the "Infinite" version uses a power-operated window. You press a button, and the top half of your floor-to-ceiling window slides down to the waist-high level. Suddenly, your living room has a screen and a breeze.
It's a space-saver. By eliminating the partition of a traditional balcony, Royal Caribbean adds about 40 to 50 square feet of actual indoor climate-controlled living space to your cabin. For a family of five, that extra square footage is the difference between a vacation and a hostage situation.
The layout is pretty clever. You’ve got the main sleeping area with a king bed (which can be split into twins). Then there’s a nook. This is the "Family" part. It’s a dedicated space with bunk beds, often tucked away so the kids feel like they have a fort. There’s also a sofa that converts into another bed.
The bunk bed situation
Let’s talk about those bunks. They aren’t just afterthoughts. Each bunk usually has its own charging ports and a small TV. If you have kids between the ages of 6 and 12, they will think this is the greatest thing since Roblox. However, if your "kids" are 17-year-old varsity football players, they are going to feel cramped. These are designed for younger families.
The bathroom setup in these rooms is also a massive upgrade. Most of these cabins feature a "split bathroom" design. One room has the toilet and a sink, the other has the shower and a sink. It sounds minor. It isn't. When everyone is trying to get ready for formal night or a 9:00 AM shore excursion in Cozumel, having two sinks is a godsend.
The "Window" Controversy: Why some cruisers hate it
I’ve talked to a lot of frequent cruisers who absolutely despise the infinite veranda concept. Their argument? If you open the window, the air conditioning in the entire room shuts off. That’s a standard safety and energy-saving feature on Icon of the Seas.
In the Caribbean heat, this is a problem.
If you want that ocean breeze at 2:00 PM, your room temperature is going to spike. In a traditional balcony cabin, you can keep the door closed and the AC humming while one person sits outside. Here, it’s all or nothing. You either have a sealed, cool room, or you have an open-air porch that is 85 degrees and humid.
Then there’s the "lookout" factor. Some people feel that the thick glass and the mechanical frame of the infinite window obstruct the view compared to a glass railing on a regular balcony. You're looking through a window, not over a rail. It feels a bit more like a sunroom than a private deck.
Privacy and Light
Another weird quirk? Light. Because the balcony space is integrated into the room, there are no heavy blackout curtains separating the "outdoor" area from the sleeping area. There are blinds, sure, but they are often motorized. If you have a toddler who needs a pitch-black room for a nap, you might find the light bleed around the edges of the infinite window a bit annoying.
On the flip side, the sheer amount of light these rooms get is incredible. They feel massive. Because the floor-to-ceiling glass isn't blocked by a door frame, the ocean feels like it's right in your lap. For people who get claustrophobic in standard cruise cabins, this is a massive win.
Location, Location, Location
On Icon of the Seas, these cabins are primarily located in the Surfside neighborhood. This is important. Surfside is the family-focused area at the back of the ship. It’s colorful, loud, and full of splash pads.
If you book an Infinite Family Balcony facing inward toward Surfside, don't expect quiet. You'll be looking down at the Water's Edge pool and the Lemon Post bar. You’ll hear the music. You’ll hear the screams of kids on the slides. If you’re a family with young kids, this is perfect because you are right in the heart of the action. If you’re looking for a romantic sunset view, avoid the Surfside-facing rooms and make sure you book an ocean-view version.
The ocean-view Infinite Family Balconies give you that classic sea horizon. They are usually located on the higher decks (around Deck 10, 11, and 12).
Comparing the specs: Is the price jump real?
You’ll generally pay a premium for the "Family" designation. Here’s why:
- Capacity: These rooms comfortably sleep five. Standard balconies usually cap at four.
- Square Footage: You’re looking at roughly 285 square feet of interior space, plus the "balcony" area of about 50 square feet.
- Storage: Royal Caribbean actually listened to feedback here. There are tons of cubbies. You’ll find storage under the beds, in the bunk area, and in the closets.
Is it cheaper than two connecting rooms? Usually, yes. Is it cheaper than a suite? Absolutely. But it is significantly more expensive than a standard ocean-view balcony. You are paying for the convenience of keeping the whole crew in one "box."
The Tech Factor
Everything in these rooms is high-tech. You can control the lights, the temperature, and that famous window from a touch panel on the wall or via the Royal Caribbean app on your phone. It feels futuristic.
But tech can glitch. I’ve heard reports of the windows getting stuck or sensors being a bit finicky about whether the window is "fully closed" to let the AC kick back on. It's rare, but it happens. If you’re the type of person who hates "smart home" tech, the learning curve might bug you for the first day.
What most people get wrong about the safety
There’s a common fear that kids can climb out of the infinite balcony. Honestly, it’s probably safer than a regular balcony. The window only opens from the top down. The bottom half is a solid, fixed piece of reinforced glass. A kid would have to be quite tall and very determined to get into trouble. Plus, there’s a lockout button that parents can use to keep the window from being operated by curious little fingers.
Actionable Advice for Booking
If you are ready to pull the trigger on an Infinite Family Balcony on Icon of the Seas, here is how you do it right:
- Check the View Type: Do not assume every balcony looks at the ocean. Look for "Ocean View" vs. "Surfside View" in the description. One is for serenity; the other is for people-watching and proximity to the kids' areas.
- Pack Magnetic Hooks: The walls are metal. Since you have five people in one room, use magnetic hooks to hang up wet swimsuits and hats. It saves a ton of clutter.
- Mind the "Bunk" Ages: If your kids are over 5'5", the bunks might feel tight. Measure them before you commit to a week in a "fort."
- The AC Trick: If you want the window open, turn the room temperature setting way down before you open it. The residual cool air will last a little longer once the system cuts off.
- Evaluate the "Double Vanity": If you have teenagers, prioritize the cabins with the split bathroom. It is the single biggest factor in reducing morning stress.
The Infinite Family Balcony is a specific tool for a specific job. It’s for the family that wants to stay together, needs more space than a standard room, but isn't quite ready to drop $15,000 on a Royal Loft Suite. It’s a hybrid. It’s a room that breathes. Just don’t expect a traditional balcony experience, and you’ll likely love the extra breathing room it provides.